Which park?

tom_stevens26

Tuesday, May 28, 2002 12:17 PM

Which park would you guys recommend that is within less than 6 hours of driving time from Nashville, TN? I just got back from a great weekend at Kentucky Kingdom and I can't wait to go again! I'm thinking of driving up to St. Louis and Atlanta....how do those parks compare (coaster-wise) to Kentucky Kingdom? Six Flags in Cleveland sounds awesome but that is like a 9+ hour drive from Nashville. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Den

Tuesday, May 28, 2002 12:26 PM

You can only go up from Kentucky Kingdom. The Six Flags parks in Atlanta and St. Louis are both good, but (since it sounds like you're new to this) have you heard of Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN? It's just an hour past Kentucky Kingdom. Do some research on the Internet about it. You'll find not a bad word written on this great park.

----------------- He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

RockyCoasterDog

chris

Tuesday, May 28, 2002 12:46 PM

I think that SFStL and SFoG are pretty caomparable parks, but I'd give the edge to SFoG.

They both have some rides that are pretty similar: Sub-par loopers named Ninja, not too great (but fun) mine rides, and they both have a B:TR. SFStL's is the infamous mirrored one, but I didn't really think that it made that much of a difference.

The Screamin' Eagle at SFStL and the GASM at SFoG are pretty similar dog-legged out and back woodies, but GASM is maintained much better and provides a better ride. Both parks also have a more intense woodie: Boss @ SFStl and Cyclone at SFoG. While I really like the Boss a lot (particularly at night), I'd have to say that I prefered the insane, violent ride on the Cyclone a bit more.

SFoG has several rides that aren't to be found at SFStL: Mindbender (great Schwarzkopf looper), Deja Vu (if it's open ever again), the new S:UF (the only B&M flyer in the US), and The Georgia Scorcher (my favorite stand-up). SFoG also has a great drop ride, Acrophobia.

SFStL's stand-out steel coaster is Mr. Freeze, a really cool launched coaster that made the trip for me, along with night rides on the Boss.

Neither park has a great flat ride collection, but both parks are very nicely landscaped and have a nice "amusement park" feel to them, as they are a couple of the older SF parks.

I liked my visit to both parks, but I always like a visit to any park.

Valleyfair Fan

Tuesday, May 28, 2002 4:00 PM

Dollyworld is really well themed and Tennesee Tornado looks swell, but the admission is pretty steep for people that are just going there for the rides.

Personally, I'd go to Six Flags St Louis as I just seemed to really dig the vibe I got there. (More so then at Six Flags Great America where I felt like a sardine, but SFGAM was still fun) However, please note that I've never done more then driven by SFOG.

coasterdude318

Tuesday, May 28, 2002 7:53 PM

Personally, I'd take SFGAm over all of them. It's a little further (maybe 8 hours), but has arguably the best coaster collection out there. I haven't been to SFStL yet...we'll see how I feel about it in a few days.

DEK

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 7:51 AM

I can speak for Holiday World and SFStL. I haven't been to SFoG. If you like wooden coasters I'd recommend HW. Raven and Legend are 2 world-class coasters. The park is awesome with inexpensive food, free parking and free drinks. I liked SFStL but was disappointed in the Boss (OK everyone don't beat me up; it's just my opinion). However, I loved Mr. Freeze. As for the park, it's a typical SF park. Expensive food, expensive parking, not a lot of landscaping (but better than most SF parks).

Something else to try is rcdb.com. You can do a search by location. Put in your zip code and the miles and it will list all the parks in that radius. This will give you a good idea of the parks within your driving area.

While I agree that SFGAm is a good park (my home park) it's probably a little too far to drive. I believe it's about 8 1/2 - 9 hours from Nashville.

Have fun wherever you end up!

----------------- Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

CPLady

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 8:42 AM

Paramount Kings Island might be within your 6 hour range. I can't vouch for the park as I haven't been yet (will go for Coasterbuzz Con), but I'm looking forward to riding their coasters which includes The Beast and Son of Beast, as well as checking out Tomb Raider: The Ride.

DEK

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 8:59 AM

CPLady said:

Paramount Kings Island might be within your 6 hour range. I can't vouch for the park as I haven't been yet (will go for Coasterbuzz Con), but I'm looking forward to riding their coasters which includes The Beast and Son of Beast, as well as checking out Tomb Raider: The Ride.

----------------- I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

Jeex, how could I forget PKI? Thanks, CPLady for mentioning this park. It's a great park with excellent rides. The Beast, Flight of Fear, Face/Off, Racer, Vortex, etc., etc., etc.

I should have remembered this. I was just there last weekend. DOH!

----------------- Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

mindbender2001

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 1:30 PM

Keep in mind here that I have never been t any of the other parks, but SFoG is great. It has a great atmoshere to it, and some great coasters. Plus, it is probably only about five hours away. If you've never been there, I would absoluetely choose SFOG. Superman: Ultimate Flight easily beat out many coasters all around the country for my No. 1 spot. (Of course I bet that changes when I ride X!)

Mindbender is great, as is the Ga. Cyclone and Ga. Scorcher. Wherever you go, hope you have a blast!